An antimicrobial HVAC filter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing HVAC filters lack effective antimicrobial properties, particularly in conventional systems, and existing dual-effect UV and carbon filters require expensive UV sources and do not provide antimicrobial enhancement when UV is not operating.
Innovation Solution
An HVAC filter with a copper screen and a UV light source laid flat across it, providing a dual-effect of UV sterilization and toxic oligodynamic effect, which can operate independently of the UV source, and is designed for easy installation in conventional systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a standard 1-inch-thick filter is used in conventional HVAC systems, then the filter can be easily installed in wall-mounted air-return vents or air handlers, but the filter lacks effective antimicrobial properties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple antimicrobial mechanisms (copper screen material and UV-C light source) with the conventional filter structure, integrating them into a single unit that maintains the original 1-inch thickness and form factor while adding antimicrobial functionality. The copper screen is positioned upstream of the filtration material, and the UV-C light source is mounted on the copper screen, creating a merged system that provides both physical filtration and antimicrobial protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter uses a composite structure combining conventional filtration material (fiberglass, cotton, or polyester pleated fabric) with copper screen material and UV-C lighting components. The copper screen serves as both a structural element and an antimicrobial agent, while the UV-C light source provides additional germicidal action. This composite approach allows the filter to maintain its conventional appearance and installation compatibility while incorporating advanced antimicrobial technologies.
2Reliability
If UV sterilisation and carbon filtration are combined in a dual-effect filter, then antimicrobial properties are improved, but expensive UV sources are required and the system does not provide antimicrobial enhancement when UV is not operating
Solution Approach 1:
The copper screen provides continuous antimicrobial protection through its inherent oligodynamic effect without requiring external energy input or active operation. The copper material naturally releases copper ions that are toxic to microorganisms, providing self-service antimicrobial action that operates 24/7 regardless of whether the UV light is on or off. This eliminates the dependency on continuous energy consumption while maintaining reliable antimicrobial protection.
3Use of energy by moving object
If photocatalyst doping is used to allow catalyst functionality to work with visible light sources above 400 nm, then cheaper light sources can be used, but the system still requires UV-based sources for optimal performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the dependency on expensive UV LEDs by using a UV-C light source that operates at the optimal germicidal wavelength of 254 nm, eliminating the need for photocatalyst doping with titanium dioxide or other catalysts. The system takes out the requirement for visible light compatibility and instead uses dedicated UV-C radiation that is most effective for killing microorganisms. This approach prioritizes antimicrobial effectiveness over light source cost savings.
4Ease of repair
If the copper screen and UV light source are integrated into a separable unit, then the filter can be easily attached to and detached from conventional HVAC filters for cleaning and reuse, but the assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The antimicrobial component is segmented into a separate, removable module that can be easily attached to and detached from the conventional filter. The copper screen and UV light source form an integrated sub-assembly that can be mounted on the upstream side of the filter and removed for cleaning or replacement without replacing the entire filter. This segmentation allows the reusable antimicrobial module to be separated from the consumable filter media.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The filter effectively kills microorganisms using UV-C light and copper's toxic oligodynamic effect, offering continuous antimicrobial protection even when the UV light is off, and can be easily integrated into existing HVAC systems without altering their structure.
Implementation Method 1
The copper provides toxic oligodynamic effect on living cells, algae, molds, spores, fungi, viruses, prokaryotic, and eukaryotic microorganisms
Implementation Method 2
The ultraviolet light source provides germicidal ultraviolet (such as ultraviolet C or UV-C) light to kill or inactivate microorganisms by destroying nucleic acids and disrupting their DNA
Data Source
AI summary
An antimicrobial HVAC filter is designed to be installed in conventional HVAC systems and has conventional filtration material. The filter has antimicrobial enhancement by way of a copper screen and an ultraviolet light source laid flat across the copper screen. The copper provides toxic oligodynamic effect on living cells, algae, molds, spores, fungi, viruses, prokaryotic, and eukaryotic microorganisms. The ultraviolet light source provides germicidal ultraviolet (such as ultraviolet C or UV-C) light to kill or inactivate microorganisms by destroying nucleic acids and disrupting their DNA.